aspherical.txt

Commentary on photography posted to Aspherical, a popular metro Atlanta photoblog.

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

make way for progress @downtown atlanta (nikon d70)

About a decade ago, Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) hired an engineering firm to study improving the Jones-Simpson-Alexander (JSA) corridor. The three streets in the corridor formed a critical east/west connection linking Northside Drive to Peachtree Street. The Georgia World Congress Center, a massive convention space is at the western end of the JSA corridor and Atlanta's central business district sits at the eastern terminus. The shiny new Georgia Aquarium is located in the middle of the JSA corridor. Near the western edge of the JSA corridor was an old bridge over the CSX and Norfolk Southern railroad lines that needed replacement.

This building happened to sit in the way of the new bridge and I photographed it a few weeks before demolition. The building was in pretty bad shape, this photograph of intact glass shows one of the rare parts of the building with unbroken windows. Peeling paint was evident all over the building. And finally, the obligatory no trespassing sign, with some bonus rust.

The JSA corridor improvements have since been completed, and the finished roadway renamed Ivan Allen Boulevard. Substantial redevelopment has taken place on the eastern end of the corridor. However, the great recession has put some plans on hold, including the residential component.